The Four Seasons (also known, off and on, as Frankie Valli & The Four Seaso… Read Full Bio ↴The Four Seasons (also known, off and on, as Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons) is an American pop and rock group that came about in 1960 after Bob Gaudio joined up with musicians Frankie Valli, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi, all of them from Newark, New Jersey. The Seasons' first hit, titled "Sherry", came out in 1962. With producer Bob Crewe, Gaudio wrote a string of subsequent tunes that were big hits for the Seasons in the 60s , including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", "Ronnie", "Save It For Me", and "Bye Bye Baby". With a sound somewhat reminiscent of doo-wop, the Seasons soon became an internationally famous rock n roll group, inspiring many other artists. The quartet's story is told in a somewhat fictionalized form in the Tony Award winning musical 'Jersey Boys'.

In 1960, the group known as The Four Lovers evolved into The Four Seasons. Its initial line-up featured Frankie Valli as the lead singer, Bob Gaudio (formerly of The Royal Teens) on keyboards and tenor vocals, Tommy DeVito on lead guitar and baritone vocals, and Nick Massi on bass guitar and bass vocals. Massi was replaced in 1965 by Charles Calello, who was in turn replaced later in 1965 by Joe Long on bass guitar and bass vocals.

Frankie Valli and Tommy DeVito had previously performed with Nick DeVito (Tommy's twin brother) alongside Hank Majewski as the aforementioned Four Lovers. As stated before, the Four Seasons released their first hit, titled "Sherry", in 1962. Under the guidance of producer and songwriter Bob Crewe, The Four Seasons followed up "Sherry" with several well-remembered hits, including "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Dawn", "Walk Like a Man", "Candy Girl" and "Save It for Me". Nick Massi left the Four Seasons in 1965 and was replaced by Joe Long, who became the mainstay on bass and backup vocals until 1976. Several more Top 10 singles followed, including "Let's Hang On", "Working My Way Back To You", "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" and "C'mon Marianne"; but by late 1967, the group's popularity was deteriorating, as public interest moved towards rock with a harder edge and more socially conscious lyrics. The group would, however, enjoy a brief revival in their popularity in the mid-1970s, with the hits "Who Loves You", "Swearin' to God" and their last number one hit "December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)". Don Ciccone was a member of the Four Seasons in 1976 and was lead vocal on several songs, such as "Slip Away", "Let's Get It Right" and "Rhapsody". He played lead guitar.

The Four Seasons (group members 1961-1965) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1999. Jersey Boys, a musical play based on the lives of The Four Seasons, directed by Des McAnuff (The Who's Tommy, 700 Sundays) premiered at his La Jolla (California) Playhouse and opened on Broadway on November 6, 2005 to generally positive reviews. It won 2006 Tony Awards for Best Leading and Featured Actor in a Musical won by John Lloyd Young & Christian Hoff, Best Light Design in a Musical and Best Musical.

The group's music was one of many influences to the Jersey Shore sound of the 1970's and 1980's. However, by the 1980s, Frankie Valli was the only original group member left. Frankie Valli still tours today, performing many of The Four Seasons classic songs. Nick Massi died in 2000 of cancer. Despite Joe Long's extensive contributions to The Four Seasons, Joe Long remains the only member of the group's “definitive line-up” not inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio, most likely because he was not in the original group. Much controversy still exists over this decision, especially in light of the many top-10 hits the group had during his tenure.

Don't Let Go
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics

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Hear that whistle, it's ten o'clock.
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Come on, baby, it's time to rock,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so happy I got you here,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Keeps me grinnin' from ear to ear.
Don't let go, Don't let go.

Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!

Thunder, lightening, wind and rain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is stormin' inside my brain,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'm so eager, I'm nearly dyin',
Don't let go, Don't let go.
You've been keepin' your lips from mine.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!

Hound dog barkin' up side the hill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Love is draggin' him thru the mill,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
If it wasn't for havin' you,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'd be barkin' and howlin' too.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.
Don't let go!

One day, baby, you'll quit me yet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
I'll be cryin' and soakin' wet,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
One thing, baby, I'll never stand,
Don't let go, Don't let go.
Your lips kissin' some other man.
Oo-wee, This feelin's killin' me;
Ah shucks, I wouldn't stop for a million bucks.
I love you so, Just hold me tight.

Don't let go!
Just hold me tight, Don't let go!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Don't Let Go" by Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons express the desperate plea of a person who is completely enamored by their partner and fears losing them. The song starts with the anticipation of a night of excitement and rock and roll, with the singer urging their love interest not to let go. The joy and happiness that the partner brings are so overwhelming that the singer wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

As the song progresses, it introduces the metaphorical imagery of a storm, symbolizing the intense emotions that love can evoke. Thunder, lightning, wind, and rain represent the emotional turmoil and chaos within the singer's mind and heart. They express their eagerness and desire to be with their partner, feeling like they are on the verge of losing control. The line "You've been keepin' your lips from mine" reveals the longing for physical intimacy and the need to have their partner's affection and affectionate touch.

The mention of a hound dog barking up the hill adds another layer to the song. The hound dog represents the outside world or potential threats that could come between the couple. The singer acknowledges that love has tamed the dog and prevented it from causing trouble. However, the singer also acknowledges their fear of losing their partner and becoming like the hound dog, barking and howling in loneliness.

The song concludes with a bittersweet tone, hinting at the possibility of a future breakup. The singer fears being left behind, crying and feeling soaked in sadness. They emphasize their unwillingness to stand for their partner's actions of kissing someone else, displaying a possessive and protective nature rooted in the fear of losing the love they cherish so deeply.

Overall, "Don't Let Go" conveys a mixture of joy, desperation, fear, and possessiveness in its lyrics, exploring the complexities of love and the vulnerability it brings.

Don't Let GoFrankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics

Don't Let Go
Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons Lyrics